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why is 8^1/2 2sqrt(2) and not 4?

 
 Dec 3, 2015

Best Answer 

 #2
avatar+118608 
+10

why is 8^1/2 2sqrt(2) and not 4?

 

Firstly this has NOTHING to do with complex numbers.  That has a specific meaning in maths.

 

secondly your consusion is very common and it is good if you can get it sorted out now.

 

^ means to the power of    3^4 means   34 = 3*3*3*3        = 81

* means to multiply            3*4 means   3 x 4 =3+3+3+3   = 12

 

         \( 8^{1/2}\;\ne\;8\times \frac{1}{2}\\ ~~\\ 8^{1/2}=\sqrt{8}=\sqrt{4\times2}=\sqrt4\times \sqrt2=2\times \sqrt2 = 2\sqrt2\\ and\\ 8\times \frac{1}{2}=\frac{8}{2}=4 \)

 

 

This is a really important thing for you to get stuck into your brain  wink

 Dec 3, 2015
 #1
avatar+495 
+5

8 * 1/2 does not mean the same thing as \({8}^{1/2}\)

 

An exponent of 1/2 is the same as taking the square root. And the square root of 8 is \(2\sqrt{2}\).

 Dec 3, 2015
 #2
avatar+118608 
+10
Best Answer

why is 8^1/2 2sqrt(2) and not 4?

 

Firstly this has NOTHING to do with complex numbers.  That has a specific meaning in maths.

 

secondly your consusion is very common and it is good if you can get it sorted out now.

 

^ means to the power of    3^4 means   34 = 3*3*3*3        = 81

* means to multiply            3*4 means   3 x 4 =3+3+3+3   = 12

 

         \( 8^{1/2}\;\ne\;8\times \frac{1}{2}\\ ~~\\ 8^{1/2}=\sqrt{8}=\sqrt{4\times2}=\sqrt4\times \sqrt2=2\times \sqrt2 = 2\sqrt2\\ and\\ 8\times \frac{1}{2}=\frac{8}{2}=4 \)

 

 

This is a really important thing for you to get stuck into your brain  wink

Melody Dec 3, 2015

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